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California law

Workers' Compensation Laws in California.

California's workers' compensation system is a no-fault system — you do not need to prove your employer was negligent. Benefits include medical treatment, temporary and permanent disability payments, supplemental job displacement benefits, and death benefits. California has one of the largest workers' compensation systems in the country, governed by the Division of Workers' Compensation under the Department of Industrial Relations.

Last verified: 2026-02-25

State law

Statute of Limitations

30 days (report) / 1 year (claim)Cal. Lab. Code §§ 5400, 5405

You must report the injury to your employer within 30 days. A formal workers' compensation claim must be filed within 1 year of the date of injury.

Exceptions

Occupational Disease1 year from knowledge of disability and work-relatednessCal. Lab. Code § 5412

For occupational diseases (like asbestos exposure or repetitive stress), the 1-year period runs from the date the employee knew or should have known the disability was caused by employment.

State law

Filing Requirements

Report to EmployerCal. Lab. Code § 5400

Report the injury to your employer within 30 days. Written notice is recommended. Your employer must then provide you with a claim form (DWC-1) within one working day.

Application for Adjudication

If benefits are denied or disputed, file an Application for Adjudication of Claim with the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB).

State law

Key California Statutes

Covered EmployersCal. Lab. Code § 3700

All California employers with one or more employees must carry workers' compensation insurance. There is no exception for small employers.

Temporary Disability BenefitsCal. Lab. Code § 4653

Temporary total disability benefits pay two-thirds of your pre-injury gross weekly wage, subject to minimum and maximum amounts set annually by the state.

Medical TreatmentCal. Lab. Code § 4600

Employers must provide all medical treatment reasonably required to cure or relieve the effects of a work injury. Treatment is generally provided through the employer's Medical Provider Network (MPN), but employees may pre-designate their personal physician.

Supplemental Job Displacement BenefitCal. Lab. Code § 4658.7

If you cannot return to your usual job and your employer does not offer modified or alternative work, you may receive a voucher for education-related retraining or skill enhancement.

Anti-RetaliationCal. Lab. Code § 132a

Employers cannot discharge, threaten, or discriminate against an employee for filing or intending to file a workers' compensation claim.

State law

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in California.

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